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Pokémon Trainer (SSBB)

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This article is about Pokémon Trainer's appearance in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. For other uses, see Pokémon Trainer.
Pokémon Trainer
in Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Pokémon Trainer
PokemonSymbol.svg
Universe Pokémon
Shares character slot with Charizard
Ivysaur
Squirtle
Availability Starter
Final Smash Triple Finish
Tier E (29)
PokémonTrainerHeadSSBB.png

Confirmed on the Smash Bros. DOJO!! website on August 13, 2007, Pokémon Trainer (ポケモントレーナー, Pokemon Torēnā) is a selectable character in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. His design is taken from that of Red, the male protagonist of the Generation I Pokémon games and their remakes. Rather than fighting directly as the Trainer, the player instead controls his three Pokémon, Squirtle, Ivysaur, and Charizard, all of which are starter Pokémon; and can switch between the three via use of his down special move, Pokémon Change.

Various accommodations in the background are made for Pokémon Trainer in several stages, where the Trainer stands and commands his Pokémon. In moving stages like Halberd and Delfino Plaza, Pokémon Trainer only appears on the stationary sections. He will move above the pit in the Yoshi's Island Stage when his Pokémon is on the opposite side of the pit (for example, if Pokémon Trainer is on the right and his Pokémon is on the left).

Pokémon Trainer is currently ranked 29th in the tier list, right above the bottom spot of lower-mid tier. Pokémon Trainer's individual Pokémon have their own merits, and the variety in choices helps in preventing hard counters. Pokémon Trainer however, suffers from severe, unique afflictions that no other character has to deal with. The first is the stamina problem, which when it occurs, will force the player to fight with severely reduced damage output and finishing ability, or make a Pokémon change that will either give their opponent a free hit or make the player give up an opportunity to capitalize on the opponent's vulnerability. Additionally, when a Pokémon is KO'd, the player is forced to send out the next Pokémon in the lineup. The force switching from this and stamina leads to two more issues: it prevents the player from only using the Pokémon best suited for the matchup (for example against King Dedede, the player will not be able to just stay on Squirtle, and will be forced to use the other Pokémon who are hard countered by Dedede), and it forces players looking to pick up the Pokémon Trainer to master all three Pokémon playstyles (so instead of just having to learn one character as with anyone else, a player will have to learn three vastly different characters, thus significantly hindering development with the character). These unique problems knock the Pokémon Trainer down despite the individual merits of his Pokémon, as well as result in very poor overall matchups. Due to the abilities of TheReflexWonder however, the amount of money the Pokémon Trainer has won in tournaments has been surprisingly high, though when TheReflexWonder is not counted, his tournament results have been near nonexistent.


Attributes

For character specific Attributes, see Squirtle (SSBB), Ivysaur (SSBB) and Charizard (SSBB)

Pokémon Trainer's unique ability to be three characters in one allows for many different positive effects. For instance, the three separate characters can be used together in conjunction for a powerful effect, especially since altogether the Pokémon Trainer has nine special moves, if Pokémon Change is excluded. Since all the Pokémon have varying weights and sizes, certain Pokémon can be switched to during opportune moments. For example, if the Pokémon has high damage, Charizard can be switched to since it has a higher weight. Squirtle and Ivysaur both are excellent at racking up damage, and the high damage opponent can then be KO'd by one of Charizard's high knockback moves. All of the Trainer's Pokémon experience type effectiveness, however. The invincibility granted by Pokémon Change can be used to avoid attacks on the ground, such as Final Smashes, or cure status ailments. However, Pokémon Change happens automatically after a Pokémon is KO'd. If the player wants to switch back to the Pokémon they were just using they must endure 4+ seconds of Pokémon Change to get back to that last Pokémon in use, and this can be a hindrance, as not all frames of the move grant invincibility, leaving the Pokémon being brought into battle somewhat vulnerable at the end. Also, the move cannot be used in midair or while invincible. Certain Pokémon are bad for certain situations, either forcing the player to use the wrong Pokémon for certain bad situations or go through multiple Pokémon Change uses. Also, after 1 minute and 20 seconds, stamina is brought into play, significantly weakening a Pokémon's moves.

The one thing that the entire team shares is a strong grab/throw game, though each one has different ways of implementing it. Squirtle's grab has roughly average range, but its strength is in grounding an opponent in their shield with an overwhelming attack rate before rushing in for a grab. From there, it has a KO option and excellent setup options with decent damage all around. Ivysaur does things differently by focusing more on tricking the opponent into a grab; Ivysaur has one of the best pivot grabs available and will often have retreated to the edge in the process, and from there has the option to use its powerful back-throw for a KO (or up-throw, should the match-up recommend it). Charizard's long neck can outgrab most of the characters in the game due to owning the second longest non-tether grab range in Brawl (second to King Dedede), giving it good match control options. It also has the option to grab-release, since the spacing will become perfect for a down-tilt , and potentially a KO.

Unique characteristics

As the Pokémon Trainer is a "three-in-one" character, he has several unique characteristics in battle.

The three Pokémon all share the same damage meter, but they each have their own individual Stamina stat, which makes the Pokémon weaker the longer it has been in action. It is possible to choose which Pokémon the player begins the match with. By clicking on the Pokémon of the player's choice on the portrait (not the icon), the player will start with that Pokémon. Selecting Pokémon Trainer himself makes the starting Pokémon randomly chosen. In battle, the cycle of Pokémon switching goes in the order: Squirtle, Ivysaur, Charizard. If a Pokémon is KO'd, the next Pokémon in the line will be summoned on the revival platform.

Whichever Pokémon is currently battling will have its picture shown in the bottom of the screen, next to the damage percentage and the series logo. The picture then changes to the newly sent out Pokémon's portrait upon switching. If Pokémon Trainer is defeated when there are 2 or more people/teams still Brawling on the stage, he will remain on the stage, covering his face with his hand.

Pokémon Trainer says a special catchphrase as he withdraws the Pokémon currently on stage. His three possible catchphrases are "Get back!", "Good job!", and "Amazing job!", depending on the amount of time the Pokémon has spent on screen. Pokémon Trainer also says a catchphrase when he releases a new Pokémon from the revival platform; his three possible catchphrases are "Go, _______!", "Hang on, _______!", and "Just a little more, _______!" This references what Trainers say when sending out Pokémon in the Pokémon series games.

Special moves

Taunts

  • Up: Raises an arm up while holding a Poké Ball and opens his mouth.
    • Charizard: Stomps and roars to the sky, while flapping its wings.
    • Ivysaur: Spins its bud, and shakes off some leaves.
    • Squirtle: Backflips, spreads out its arms and opens its mouth saying "Squirtle, Squirtle".
  • Side: Quickly jabs an arm to the side.
    • Charizard: Stomps and makes a bizarre purring sound, and also flaps its wings once.
    • Ivysaur: Stands on front legs and walks around while saying "Saur, Ivysaur".
    • Squirtle: Spins on its tail and squirts out water and says "Squirtle."
  • Down: Brings an elbow downwards in a victorious manner.
    • Charizard: Stomps violently.
    • Ivysaur: Spins around and extends its vines doing a dance, it throws around some leaves while saying "Ivy, Ivy".
    • Squirtle: Goes into its shell and hops while spinning.

Cheer

Pokémon Trainer's NTSC and PAL cheer

Po-ké-mon!

Brawl manual description

Pokémon Trainers are people who raise Pokémon and command them in battle.

In competitive play

Matchups

Notable players

See also: Category:Pokémon Trainer professionals (SSBB)

Role in The Subspace Emissary

During the Subspace Emissary, Pokémon Trainer will often Space Jump around the level to catch up with his Pokémon. This is seen as an orange-yellow streak across the screen.

After fleeing from Wario, Lucas bumps into the Pokémon Trainer, who advises him to stand back, and proceeds to take on a group of Primids with his Squirtle, which Lucas accompanies to defeat the Primids. After saving Lucas, he goes on his way, but Lucas follows him. As the story progresses, they develop a rather strong friendship. Pokémon Trainer is searching for two Pokémon, Charizard and Ivysaur, that are identified when he shows Lucas their cards. So, he and Lucas set out to find them. Until then, Squirtle is the only choice the player can use and using Down Special will not result in anything except the Pokémon Trainer in the background "flipping" a Poké Ball in his hand twice. Outside of an old temple, they survive

Pokémon Trainer and Squirtle in Lucas Leaves Ness.
The Trainer and Squirtle, as they debut in the SSE

a brief encounter with Wario. After venturing deep into the ruins, finding Ivysaur, and battling and capturing Charizard, players will then fight a giant monster named Galleom. When the boss is defeated, it will grab both Lucas and Pokémon Trainer after the fight (fainting the latter), and jump up into the air, revealing an armed Subspace Bomb in its head. Lucas then uses PK Thunder to detach the arm, and they free-fall towards the ground. Before hitting the ground and narrowly escaping the Subspace explosion, Meta Knight grabs them both before collision, in-flight and takes them to Marth and Ike. Later, Pokémon Trainer and Marth watch as Ice Climbers fall from the mountain. As the Shadow Bugs swarm over the cliffs, he joins Marth, Ike and Lucas in repelling the Primids. As he retreats, tossing a Poké Ball from hand to hand, Mario, Pit, Link, Kirby and Yoshi arrive at the Canyon entrance.

Later, he joins the rest of the fighters in their assault on the Subspace Gunship, and is aboard one of the smaller ships when they navigate their way into Subspace. However, upon reaching Tabuu, the leader of the Subspace army crushes all the fighters with his Off Waves. The Pokémon Trainer's defeat from Tabuu's Off Waves in the Subspace Emissary can be considered to be the only time the Pokémon Trainer, himself, is KO'd in the entire game. He is later revived by King Dedede, Ness and Luigi, and can be chosen to fight Tabuu at the end.

Playable appearances

After The Ruined Hall is completed, Pokemon Trainer, Lucas, Marth and Ike make brief cameo appearances in The Glacial Peak, The Canyon & The Subspace Bomb Factory (Part II)


Alternate costumes

Pokémon Trainer's palette swaps, with corresponding tournament mode colours.
The Pokémon Trainer's alternate costumes in Brawl

Trophy

Pokémon Trainer's trophy is obtained by clearing Classic Mode with Pokémon Trainer.

Pokémon Trainer trophy from Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
Pokémon Trainer's trophy in Brawl

Description

A person who raises Pokémon and trains them as partners in battle. In battle, a Trainer gives orders to the Pokémon and uses items. It's not an exaggeration to say battles can be won or lost on a Trainer's single strategic move. Trainers pour their hearts into their Pokémon and share anger, sadness, and joy as they adventure in hopes of becoming Pokémon masters.

GB Advance: Pokémon FireRed/LeafGreen

Trivia

Unused animations of the Pokémon Trainer jumping, falling, and landing.
Unused animations of the Pokémon Trainer jumping and landing
  • On the Tourney mode and Adventure Mode character-selection screens, the player can toggle between character-related options using the "-" button on the Wii Remote, the right Control Stick on the Classic Controller, or "C" on the GameCube Controller and Nunchuk. This feature allows the player to choose the starting Pokémon for Pokémon Trainer.
  • After clearing Classic mode, and gaining the player character's trophy, in the screen that follows before the roll-call (showing all one's previously collected character trophies), the player may notice that the Pokémon Trainer is the only misplaced character in the line-up, always appearing at the end, after Sonic. This is probably because the Pokémon Trainer isn't exactly a fighter; and the individual Pokémon's Trophies are not shown.
  • If all lives are depleted, Pokémon Trainer will remain on the field, holding his head and hat down in defeat; the pose resembles poses that other Pokémon Trainers would use when they were defeated in some of the console Pokémon games.
  • In Classic mode, one needs to finish with each Pokémon separately to obtain each of their individual trophies.
  • The Trainer will point his hand / fist up, right, or down to reflect the chosen special move or taunt.
  • While Red appeared in the original Red/Green/Blue/Yellow versions, Pokémon Trainer is only based on his remake design, used in FireRed and LeafGreen.
  • In SSE, the Trainer is shown fainting when Galleom grabs him and Lucas. When Meta Knight saves them and lands safely, he regains consciousness and thanks Lucas by shaking hands with him. This is the only time a playable character is shown fainted, though not KO'd.
  • The Pokémon Trainer and Lucario are the only characters in Brawl that have a different dubber in every language.
  • There are unused animations for Pokémon Trainer jumping.
  • The Pokémon Trainer uses his Pokémon in order of their evolution stage and Pokédex number; Squirtle (a base stage Pokémon) is first, Ivysaur (a first stage Pokémon) is second, and Charizard (a final/second stage Pokémon) is last. If Ivysaur is first, Pokémon Change will switch to the Pokémon with the closest index number, which is Charizard, and then to Squirtle, which agrees with the order of the Grass-, Fire-, and Water-type starter Pokémon in every Pokémon game to date. Since Squirtle is last, when it is switched out, the next Pokémon will be Ivysaur.
  • Pokémon Trainer is one of only three characters that can't use their down special move in midair, the others being Peach and Donkey Kong.

See also

External links